40 38' 10 N
75 27' 90 W

The name Catasauqua, given to the area by the Indians, literally means “dry ground.” The town was at one time called Craneville.

In 1839, the Lehigh Crane Iron Company opened in Craneville. Crane Iron Works was one of the first successful attempts to make iron using anthracite coal. Prior to the iron works, the town population consisted of mostly farmers. Catasauqua was incorporated as a borough in 1853.

Other companies that began in Catasauqua included the Catasaqua Manufacturing Company, The Union Foundry and Machine Company, Davis and Thomas’ Foundry, Lehigh Fire-Brick Company, Byden Forged Horse-shoe Works, and The Younger Grist Mill.

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